Puerto Rico is one of the most underrated fishing destinations
in the world. And perhaps one of the best things about it is that you can fish here
all year round. Naturally, some fish have certain seasons, but the thing that makes
fishing in Puerto Rico so special is that when one fish leaves, another one comes in to replace it!
That’s why in this video, we’ll go over what you can catch, where you can catch em’, and when you
can catch em’. We’ll also talk to a few of our local captains who will let us in on what you can
expect from a Puerto Rico fishing trip and how to best prepare for one. After watching this video,
you’ll want to pack your bags and experience the “Island of Enchantment” all for yourself.
In the meantime, if you want to watch more fishing videos like this, be sure to like and subscribe!
There are very few places in the world that can compare to Puerto Rico when it comes to
inshore fishing. The bays and estuaries on the northern coast are particularly productive.
Specifically, the lagoons between San Juan and Arecibo, are home to lots of Snook,
Tarpon, and Jacks. Meanwhile, the beaches and river mouths are
filled with Barracuda, Mackerel, and other species you’d normally expect further out.
There are also some pretty solid inshore opportunities on the East Coast as well.
Located 37 miles east of San Juan, the city of Fajardo is a great spot for flats fishing,
plus the variety of fish you can catch here is unlike any other place in Puerto
Rico. In addition to Snook and Tarpon, you can also target the infamous Bonefish here,
which also makes this spot very attractive to fly fishermen.
The western coast of the island also has plenty to offer its inshore enthusiasts.
Here, you’ll find a range of mangroves nestled along the golden beaches from Rincón
all the way down to Boquerón. The lagoons on this side of the island are full of Tarpon and
smaller Snapper species, opening up the fishing scene to a wide variety of styles and techniques.
Be sure to keep seasonality in mind when planning an inshore trip though. It’s best done from fall
through spring, with summer providing a relatively quiet period in the shallows.
Tarpon have the longest season, lasting from October through June,
with Bonefish joining early on, Jacks coming in over winter, and Snook lasting into spring.
But if you’re looking for a year-round fishing trip in deeper waters,
then be sure to keep watching! Reef fishing in Puerto Rico can be done 365
days a year, so no matter when you travel here, you’ll have a fair chance of catching fish. The
island’s productive reefs are home to some of the most colorful and delicious species in the world.
While there are plenty of reefs scattered along the entire coastline,
the southern coast of Puerto Rico is perhaps best known for its abundance of reefs that are
just a stone’s throw from shore. A mix of both bottom and pelagic fish inhabit these waters.
You can catch everything from various Snapper species to Mahi Mahi, Mackerel, and Barracuda.
There are also numerous spots along the eastern and western coasts where you can go reef fishing.
Cities on the east such as Fajardo have plenty of charters that will take you
bottom fishing over reefs where you can catch monster Groupers and Snappers.
Another excellent location for reef fishing is on the other side of the island.
The waters off the northwestern edge of Puerto Rico are home to rare Elkhorn coral thickets
which provide an important habitat for a wide range of fish. There’s very little
that can compare to a bottom fishing trip in Rincón. And the best part is the fishing
here is great all year-round. However, the best time to target Grouper here is between
December and March when the waters are calmest. And of course, we saved you the best for last.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ve come to the right place. Deep sea fishing in Puerto
Rico is good from anywhere on the island, no matter which direction you head in. However,
larger coastal towns have a much wider selection of charters that can take you further out.
If you’re fishing off the coast of Fajardo or any of the towns along the eastern seaboard,
then you don’t have to venture out too deep to start hooking big pelagic fish.
Thanks to the Yucatan Current, some of the most sought-after creatures in the world
swim pretty close to shore. You can go after Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and tons of Billfish.
Just remember to keep seasonality in mind when planning to target pelagic species.
For example, Marlin fishing tends to pick up right in time for summer. Specifically, White Marlin
arrive at the end of spring, with Blue Marlin arriving during the peak of summer. Then, Wahoo,
Sailfish, and Mahi Mahi come to take you through fall and into the new year.
No matter when you visit, there are always fish to be caught. That’s what makes fishing
in Puerto Rico so special. And the best part is, since Puerto Rico is a US territory, if you’re
a citizen, you don’t even need a passport to come here. Also, if you’re fishing aboard a registered
charter, your license is covered by the boat, making it that much easier to plan your trip.
And that’s where we step in. With the largest selection of fishing charters in Puerto Rico,
the most verified reviews, and our best price guarantee, FishingBooker will help you save
time and money when you book your trip online. So go ahead and visit FishingBooker.com, take a look
at some of the charters in the area, and start planning your Puerto Rico Fishing trip today!